Q&A: Vicor powers next-gen active suspension system
Electric vehicles evolve to support higher performance, reduced weight, and improved ride dynamics, power system design is being pushed to new limits
More power in less space
One of the central challenges facing the automotive industry is the need for more power in less space. EVs employ over 50kW of electrical power, compared to less than 3kW in an ICE vehicle. The nearly 20x increase in power requires compact power solutions to free up space and weight. Reducing the size and weight of the power delivery network are essential factors. For example, 2.5kW of power from the Vicor BCM6135 can be held in the palm of your hand and weighs only 65 grams.
The modular approach to power
High performance power modules
Using miniaturized power modules with up to 5x the density, the modular approach uses less real estate, leaving more room for functionality. High efficiency modules require much simpler thermal management and allow for flexible and scalable designs that are simpler and quicker to design and update.
Effective power delivery network
Unlike complex discrete solutions and inflexible “silver box” power systems, power delivery networks using power modules is quick and easy to design and implement. Accommodating new loads — or changes in power needs in a design — is easily accomplished by replacing or adding modules.
Resources
Resources for the design engineer
Eight EV challenges of converting high voltage to SELV
Automotive and e-Mobility grapple with demands for smaller, lighter power solutions
Active suspension systems in electric vehicles
48V power systems reduce losses and downsize power designs. Vicor is making the transition from 12V to 48V easier, delivering a competitive advantage
Power modules accelerate the path from 800V to 48V SELV in automotive
Vicor BCM6135 solves historic power design problems for active suspension. Bidirectional and fast-transient DC-DC converters are essential to new design